National Aquarium Unveils Plans For Waterfront Park In Baltimore

The National Aquarium unveiled plans today for a waterfront park along a contaminated shore of the Middle Branch of the Patapsco River, saying the $5.4 million project could help revitalize the blighted area of South Baltimore.

The aquarium acquired the 20-acre Middle Branch tract four years ago from the city for a new Center for Aquatic Life and Conservation it planned to build there. Construction of the center has been shelved until the economy improves, aquarium executives say, but the cleanup and park development are going forward.

The EPA awarded a $200,000 “brownfields” cleanup grant to the aquarium for the project.

The park, which is to include walking and biking trails, a pier and overlooks, is slated to be completed by next spring.